LAST NOVEMBER I promised to do an article on the best method of taking stem cuttings from geraniums and fuchsias. As J had suggested that January was the best month to do this, I guess I had better come across. First, what are you going to need? Obviously you'll need some parent plants to take the cuttings from. If you weren't able to salvage those from last summer, read a book and wait until next year. The procedures used to save and store geraniums and fuchsias was outlined in the Nov. 20, 1987, Over the Garden Gate column. I prefer the use of a sterilized potting. soil with a sandy texture (one part peat, one part sand). Some enthusiasts:-will start large numbers: of cuttings in flats of pure sand’and repot the rooted plants later. | would suggest this to be an unnecessary step unless you found yourself short on space. The container can be anything as simple as a cut-off, one-litre, milk carton, with heles cut into the bot- tom, to more sophisticated pots of clay or peat." The main concerns are ample drainage and an approximate size _to four inches for A tun ta. throa d two to three inches for fuchtins. oe The nice. thing: about. a ‘clay pot is the porous nature of its sides. This will-help you reduce the risk of over-watering as excess moisture can evaporate through the pores. If you can adjust to the extra ex- pense, clay pots are the way to go. Be sure to soak clay pots before use as their porous walls will suck the moisture out of your potting mix. You will need a clean, sharp knife to make your cuts with. The cleaner it is the smaller the risk of encountering some form of disease. The sharper it is the less cell damage is done at the wound and this will also reduce the risk of disease, Some believe rooting hormone to be optional because success with these plants is relatively high without it, I see it as very inexpen- sive insurance. Most brands come in three varicties: #1 — for softwood cut- tings, 42 — for semi-hardwood and #3 — for hardwood. Get the #2 as this will be. correct for most applications. Keeping the humidity high around rooting geraniums could cause disease, therefore it is unwise to cover them. Fuchsia cuttings on the other hand will benefit if they are placed in an enclosed, humid environment. So, if you are doing fuchsias, have a supply of sand- wich bags handy (more about this later). Now, how and from where to take a cutting. Look for strong, EST FRAME SALE | mature, healthy growth that has no flowers or buds. Make a clean, sharp cut just below a icaf bud, two to three in- ches from the terminal or end of the branch. Remove all but two or three developed leaves, and be careful not to tear away the ‘bark’ or stem covering. REL over the garden gate Geoff Tobiasson The robdting process should begin immediately with fuchsias while geraniums are best when they are left to dry for 12 or so hours. This will allow the wound to ‘callus’ or dry — more insurance against infection. Fill the appropriately sized pot : THE YEAR! - FRAMED PRINTS | & POSTERS | Big reductions on our entire: Stock of Framed Prints 8 Posters : Custom Frames* Big Reductions on.most custom frames including - discontinued & special buy mouldings at 50% off, and all our most popular metal moulding at 25% off. “Offer applies to frames only. Mats and glass at our # Fegular low prices. $400 Buy one frame’ or print for the regular price and get a second similar or lower priced frame or. print for just 11% more. 4 7 Most stock frames, precut glass, mats, unframed prints and posters. FRAMES WEST VANCOUVER : 1432. MARINE DRIVE 922-3513 on ‘NEW LOCATION _ NORTH VANCOUVER 1425 MARINE DRIVE 23 - Friday, Janancry 22, 1988 - North Shure News with your potting mix. Push a finger, pencil or what-have-you in- to the centre of the pot to a depth of one to two inches. This will allow you to place the cutting into the hole without the soil disturbing the rooting hormone. Dust the bottom one inch of the cutting with rooting powder and tap off any excess. At least two leaf nodes should be covered as this is the point at which new root growth will appear. Carefully place the cutting into the depression you have made and firm the soil around it. Water the pot thoroughly, taking care not to dislodge the cutting while doing so. Place two or three straws, sec- tions of bamboo stakes or what- have-you, into the pot containing the fuchsias. These will act as sup- ports for the sandwich bag you will place over the top. An elastic band will create an air-tight seal around the bottom, where the bag meets the pot; this will provide the cutting with the necessary humid, terrarium-likz atmosphere. Place your cuttings in a bright window. Morning or late after- noon sun is best, and the bright, draperies only . . ONE WINDOW OR indirect light of a north window is better than a hot south window. The temperature should be in the 15° to 20°C (60° to 70°F) range. Water only as required to keep the soil moist, not wet. When the cuttings appear to be putting on new growth, begin removing the coverings from the fuchsias. Poke several small holes in the bags, wait two days and enlarge three to the size of your finger; remove the bag after two more days. This procedure will help the plant avoid the shock which can occur when the air around it is changed too rapidly. Geraniums and fuchsias should be fed with a low nitrogen, high phosphorus/potassium . fertilizer (such as Sturdy) once new growth appears. Too much nitrogen now could force .weak top growth rather than the desired develop- ment of a healthy root system. Repeat this once per month until transplant time. When ail danger of frost is past (May 1), take the plants out during the day and bring them in at night. Repeat this for one week in order to acclimatize them then transplant to the garden. THE WHOLE HOUSE . REGARDLESS OF JOB SIZEI COM. orders do not apply Tne utumate in GCustom Design Dimenvions INTERIORS 4 North Vancouver 4 1099 Marine Drive y Phone: 985-6148 984-8469 Next to Burger King — lote of parking ren) Vancouver : 4005 Cambie Street § Phone: 879-1466 q ALL STORES OPEN SUNDAY / LATE OPENING FRIDAY DOWNTOWN -KITSILANO . KERRISDALE RICHMOND LOUGHEED _,i168 Robson St. 2857 W. Broadway | __37th & West Blvd. 5311 No 3 Rd 107-4501 North Rd. See rs SeTET SOTA CERES Neer eget RE DAMIR IE Aa as ee tee ere acne ee ee reste Hat TnI Tet cement eA I ane NNN MI cerca a aimee eater ttn ta . :